I love drinking tea so much, that I aim to drink 1 L of it per day. This helps me to increase my daily water consumption and prevent dehydration, but mostly I love drinking it because it provides me with a sense of calm. I have carefully and consciously selected each herbal ingredient in this tea to help me on days when I feel overwhelmed, anxious, on edge or a little sad. I have always had a passion for natural remedies and herbalism (one day I plan on taking a herbalism diploma!), and this tea is an expression of that. It represents balance as it supports both the nervous and digestive systems.
Here are the health benefits of each herb used in this recipe:
- Skullcap: The benefits of skullcap include improving circulation, relieves muscle cramps and pain, and has been praised as an anti-inflammatory in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is great for those with symptoms of anxiety, hyperactivity, and disorders of the nervous system.
- Peppermint: Peppermint can increase stomach acidity, leading to improved digestion. It can help decrease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, indigestion and nausea. It has a “cooling” effect and is often used to to relieve headaches.
- Lemon Balm: Lemon balm helps to calm the nervous system by decreasing symptoms of stress, anxiety and support sleep quality (preventing insomnia). It can also help reduce symptoms of indigestion and nausea, and has shown to aid in cognitive function including memory and concentration.
- Use with care if you have been diagnosed with hypoactive (underactive) thyroid.
- Chamomile: Known worldwide as a sleep aid! It is a traditional remedy for stress, anxiety, insomnia and as a nerval tonic. Can also be used to reduce inflammation and symptoms of PMS and relieve pain from indigestion.
- Lavender: Most popularly used in aromatherapy, ingesting lavender flower relieves stress and depression and is beneficial for the skin and headaches.
- St Johns Wort: Is a natural anti depressant and helps to control stress levels. Beneficial in those who experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Has shown to reduce mood swings and anxiety.
- Interaction with the prescription medication Warfarin and Digoxin.
- Large amounts can cause heightened sun sensitivity.
- Should not be used if you are currently taking prescription antidepressants (specifically SSRI’s and MAOI’s)
Herbs can be very powerful and healing, and can also cause adverse side effects. So if you are currently taking any medications, please look into drug herb interactions prior to consuming this tea. I have had great benefits from drinking 1 L of this tea per day, primarily relating to anxiety and mild depressive symptoms. Sometime I like to make this tea a day ahead, steeping the dry tea leaves the evening before I plan on drinking it to get maximum benefit from the herbs. However you choose to brew your tea, I hope you love it and can reap the benefits of consuming these powerful herbs! Enjoy a state of nirvana!
State of Nirvana Herbal Tea
- April 5, 2020
- 10 min
- Print this
Ingredients
- 1 C skullcap, dried
- 1 C peppermint leaves, dried
- 1 C lemon balm, dried
- 1 C chamomile flower
- 3/4 C lavender, dried
- 3/4 C st Johns wort, dried
Directions
- Step 1
- Combine all ingredients together in a bowl and mix well. Store in a glass jar. This recipe makes approximately 2 L of loose leaf tea.
- Step 2
- to brew the tea: Take 1/4 C tea leaves and steep in 1 L hot water (just under boiling temperature). Let steep for a few hours, preferably overnight. Drink 1 L per day for maximum benefits to the nervous system. Alternatively, you can steep 1 tbsp tea leaves in 1 C hot water, for a single cup of tea.